Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 13
November 9, 1961
NUMBER 27, PAGE 10-11b

English Versions Compared On 2 Peter 1:20

Luther W. Martin, St. James, Missouri

One of the most useful methods of Bible study is that of comparing the different available versions of the scripture passage under consideration. The material contained in this article will prove to be of great value to any Bible student who has occasion to engage in a public discussion or private study involving the issue of "understanding the scriptures." It is this writer's contention that the context in which 2 Peter 1:20 is centered, bears out the correct thought intended by Inspiration, as indicated by the first half-dozen versions. It is an unfortunate rendition, although the common one, that would seek to impart the idea that the scriptures are not designed for private or individual study.

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture came from private interpretation: .... " (H. T. Anderson Translation, 1866 Edition.)

"But, above all, remember that no prophecy in scripture will be found to have come from the prophet's own prompting; " (R. F. Wewmouth Translation, Ninth Impression, Not dated.)

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private impulse: .... " (Living Oracles Translation, 14th Edition, 1882.)

.... this first knowing, that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition, .... " (Robert Young Translation, 1862 Edition.)

"For you know this first, that no prophecy of scripture springs from any private release." (New World Translation, 1950 Edition.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture comes of its own interpretation; " (American Bible Union Version, Improved Edition, not dated.)

"This, then, you must understand first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation." (Revised Challoner-Rheims Version, 1941.)

"Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation." (Rheims New Testament, 1914 Edition.)

"Know this first, that no prophecy of scripture comes from one's own unloosing it; .... " (George Swann Translation, 1947 Edition.)

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (King James Version, 1611 A.M. Also "The Authentic Version," 1951 Edition.

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation." (American Standard Version, 1901. Also E. L. Clementson Translation, 1938 Edition.)

"Yet always you must remember this, that no prophecy in scripture is the subject of private interpretation." (Ronald Know Translation, 1951 Edition.)

"Above all else you must realize that no prophecy of scripture is matter for private interpretation, .... " (Kleist-Lilly Translation, 1954 Edition.)

"And recognize this as most important — that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of private interpretation." (F. A. Spencer Translation, 1951 Edition.)

"Yet this ye must first know, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter for private interpretation." (Westminster Version, 1948 Edition.)

"First be clear on this point: — There is no prophetic teaching in scripture that can be interpreted by man's unaided reason; .... " (Twentieth Century New Testament, Tentative Edition, 1901.)

"But first be assured of this: — There is no prophetic teaching found in scripture that can be interpreted by man's unaided reason; .... " (Twentieth Century New Testament, Revised Edition, 1904.)

"You must understand this in the first place, that no prophecy in scripture can be understood through one's own powers, .... " (Edgar J. Goodspeed Translation, July, 1926 Edition.)

.... understanding this, at the outset, that no prophetic scripture allows a man to interpret it by himself; .... " (James Moffatt Translation. Edition not dated.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of its own solution." (L. A. Sawyer Translation, 1858 Edition.)

"Knowing this before, that no scripture prophecy is of private interpretation." (John Wesley's Translation, 1938 Edition.)

knowing this first, that prophecy of scripture admits of private interpretation?' (The Western New Testament, Translated by E. E. Cunning-ton, 1926.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture admits of a private interpretation; .... " (Cunnington's Translation, Revised Edition, 1935.)

.... knowing this first, that (the scope of) no prophecy of scripture is had from its own particular interpretation, " (Darby's Translation, 3rd Edition, 1884.)

"But this you must realize first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is to be interpreted individually, .... " (The Authentic New Testament, H. J. Schonfield Translation, 1956 Edition.)

.... with this most clearly understood, that no prophetic scripture can be explained by one's unaided mental powers." (Berkeley Version, August, 1947, Edition.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is becoming its own explanation." (Concordant Version, 1927 Edition.)

"Knowing this first, that not every prophetic writing is made clear in its own book." (G. M. Lamsa Translation. 1940 Edition.)

knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture may be privately interpreted." (The Corrected English New Testament, Samuel Lloyd, 1905 Edition.)

"This first ascertaining, that all prophecy of scripture is not of its own solution; .... " (Wilson's Emphatic Diaglott. 1873 Edition.)

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation." (Samuel Sharpe Translation, Fourth Edition, 1859.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture has any private interpretation." (The Book of Books, 1938 Edition.)

"But first be assured of this — that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation." (Helen B. Montgomery Translation, 1924 Edition.)

.... knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of its own interpretation." (Numeric New Testament. 1954 Edition.)

"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation." (Revised Standard Version, 1946.)

.... because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind, .... " (C. B. Williams Translation, 1950 Edition.)

Of this first taking note — That no prophecy of scripture becometh self-solving; " (J. B. Rotherham Translation, 1897 Edition.)

"So that ye fyrst knowe this, that no prophesye in the scripture hath eny private interpretacion." (Wm. Tyndale Translation, 1534 Edition.)

.... being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets." (New Testament in Basic English, April, 1944, Edition.)

.... recognizing, in the first place, that no prophecy of scripture is of a single meaning." (Ferran Fenton Translation, 1946 Edition.)

.... this first knowing, that not any prophecy of scripture is of its own interpretation, .... " (G. R. Berry Interlinear Translation, 1897 Edition.)

In the above list, we have given the rendering of forty-three English Versions of the Scripture. If any who read this have some verse that they would like to have investigated in a similar manner, such a suggestion from you would be appreciated.